BEIRUT: The US-backed Syria Democratic Forces (SDF) alliance has crossed into Deir Ez Zor province for the first time as part of an offensive against Daesh, a Kurdish military source said on Tuesday.
The advance into the province, which is almost entirely under the control of the ultra hard-line group, is part of an operation to encircle and ultimately capture its de facto Syrian capital of Raqqa in the north of the country.
One aim of the campaign is to cut Daesh’s supply lines from Raqqa to Deir Ez Zor province.
“Military operations of the SDF are now taking place within the provincial boundaries of Deir Ez Zor, from the north — so, via southern Hasaka (province),” the Kurdish military official told Reuters.
The SDF, which includes the Kurdish YPG militia and Arab fighting groups, captured some 15 villages from Daesh militants in their incursion into the province, the source added. The source did not specify when this had taken place.
Daesh controls all of Deir Ez Zor province apart from a Syrian regime-held enclave in Deir Ez Zor city and a nearby military air base.
A number of different groups in Syria’s multi-sided conflict are fighting separate battles against Daesh, which has made an enemy of all sides.
US-backed alliance enters Syria’s Deir Ez Zor province for first time
US-backed alliance enters Syria’s Deir Ez Zor province for first time
